Four rescued from rip current by RNLI lifeguards at Three Cliffs Bay
Visitors to Three Cliffs Bay have been reminded to respect the water after four people were rescued from a rip current by RNLI lifeguards this afternoon (Sunday 28 August).
Four people who had kayaked around to the south Gower beach from nearby Oxwich Bay had decided to go in for a swim at Three Cliffs when they got into difficulty around 1.30pm.
The group of two men and two women had started swimming after paddling their kayaks to the left of the red and yellow flagged swimming area. In solid surf conditions of about 3ft and the tide at around mid-tide, they drifted sideways towards the rip current which runs strongly out to sea at the left hand side of the beach.
RNLI lifeguard Aran Rees, who was patrolling on the water’s edge, noticed the group in difficulty and after radioing for support paddled out to the group on a surf rescue board.
The group of four had by this time been taken about 40m out by the rip current and were out of their depth and unable to return to shore. Aran reached them on the board on brought the two furthest out to sea in to the safety of the beach.
In the meantime fellow lifeguard Aidan McGuire swam out to the group with fins and a rescue tube to assist in rescuing the others. He assisted them back to shore.
None of the five needed further medical treatment, but one woman was advised to visit a doctor for checks as she had swallowed some water. All were given safety advice.
HM Coastguard also tasked Horton and Port Eynon RNLI lifeboat to the incident, but the volunteer crew of Helm Will Metcalfe, Ellie Sullivan and Tom Grove were stood down once they received word the five people had been helped from the water by lifeguards.
Jacob Davies, RNLI Lifeguard Manager, said: ‘This incident reinforces just how dangerously unpredictable sea conditions in certain parts of the Three Cliffs Bay can be at certain stages of tide. Visitors are encouraged to respect the water and think carefully about their safety.
‘Visitors to the beach should only swim while lifeguards are on duty between 10am and 6pm. Swimming outside of these hours can be dangerous and is not recommended. Visitors should always swim between the red and yellow flags, where RNLI lifeguards are on hand should anyone get into difficulty. Anyone with any queries about beach safety should approach our lifeguards who are more than happy to help.
‘Anyone who sees someone else in trouble in the water is advised not to attempt a rescue but to call for help from lifeguards, who are fully trained to deal with such emergencies. Alternatively, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
‘If you do find yourself caught in a rip current do not panic, try to hold onto anything you have which floats and keep your head above water. If you can put your feet down, do so. If not, do not swim against the current as you will tire yourself out. Instead, swim parallel to the current until you break free of it and return to shore. Raise your hand and call for help to attract attention.’
The daily RNLI lifeguard service at Three Cliffs Bay runs until Sunday 4 September. The seasonal safety service was introduced at Three Cliffs Bay this summer as part of a community safety plan developed by the RNLI, HM Coastguard, the National Trust and other landowners and stakeholders to help people enjoy the beach more safely.
Lifeguards will also be on Port Eynon beach, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Swansea Bay and Aberavon Bay every day until 4 September.
Media contacts:
For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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